Rhodri morgan was last night accused of letting Wales down after turning up late for the Queen for the second time in his career.

Mr Morgan arrived for the Queen's 80th birthday service in St Paul's Cathedral so late that the royal fanfare had already been sounded.

All three opposition parties issued statements attacking him for being late, although the First Minister maintained he had got to his seat on time.

The Press Association news agency's report of the service said last night, 'The First Minister of Wales Rhodri Morgan made it to his seat just in time after arriving late as the congregation stood ready for the Queen's arrival, which had already been announced by a trumpeted fanfare.

'Mr Morgan was ushered to his seat in a front row and barely had time to straighten up his suit before the Queen made her way up the aisle to her place in front of the altar.'

Mr Morgan wasn't the only Welsh person cutting it fine - Dame Shirley Bassey also sneaked in just before the Queen.

But in July 2004 he was also accused of being late for the monarch. He arrived at the Royal Welsh Show ground after she had shaken hands with the organisers and other important guests, and as she was delivering a short speech congratulating the show on its centenary.

At the time, Mr Morgan blamed heavy traffic and the fact that the Queen had got to the site 10 minutes earlier than expected. This time a train delay, and again, heavy traffic was blamed.

When the National Assembly's new Senedd building was officially opened by the Queen in March this year, the First Minister joked 'everyone was late' for St David's Day. The Church had moved the Saint's day from March 1 to February 28 this year, so it would not clash with Ash Wednesday.

'So we are all 24 hours late,' he said. 'I've been accused in the past of being late for royal gatherings. But if I'm 24 hours late we are all 24 hours late.'

Referring to the incident yesterday, where guests had been advised to turn up 45 minutes early, Plaid Cymru's Deputy Assembly Leader Rhodri Glyn Thomas said, 'It is one big embarrassment for Wales, but just one more for Rhodri Morgan.

'It just gets worse for Rhodri Morgan. The people of Wales can see he is becoming a national embarrassment. If he cannot turn up to events in time then his time should be up.

'The people of Blaenau Gwent in the next few weeks can make their judgment on him and his party, while the whole of Wales will have to endure him until 2007.'

Welsh Conservative Assembly Leader Nick Bourne said, 'It is incredible that Rhodri Morgan has yet again turned up late for a major event.

'He appears to have learned nothing from his previous embarrassing gaffe when he turned up late for the Queen when she attended the Royal Welsh Show. It is extraordinary that the First Minister of Wales is such an abysmal timekeeper.

'You would expect someone in his position to appreciate the protocol surrounding such events and ensure he arrives in good time.

'The rest of the congregation managed to get to St Paul's Cathedral on time out of respect to the Queen and the Royal party. The First Minister has let down Wales once again.

'It is appalling bad manners and shows he has learned nothing following his behaviour during the D-Day commemorations or the Royal Welsh Show.

'We expect Rhodri Morgan to apologise immediately.'

Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Leader Mike German said, 'Rhodri Morgan has let Wales down - again - with his late appearance today. When will he learn? Some 2,000 guests from Wales and around the world managed to make it there on time.

'His tardiness gets people talking about Wales for all the wrong reasons. It is rude and damaging to Wales' reputation.

'It is unacceptable for the First Minister of Wales to behave in this way. He ought to have arrived on time. He has a reputation for being late, and it doesn't serve Wales particularly well.

'It certainly caused eyebrows to be raised all around me in St Paul's Cathedral.

'Politicians often say it is time for a change of policies. On this occasion, Rhodri's policy should be to change his times.'

An Assembly Government spokeswoman said, 'The First Minister was not late. He caught the 7.55am train from Cardiff which was delayed and there was very heavy traffic in London.

'But he did arrive at St Paul's Cathedral on time, a couple of minutes before the ceremony started. The First Minister attending an engagement on time isn't much of a news story.'